considered with the possibility of effecting it Chap. 27. pag. 147 148 149 Shewing 1 That to fit children for publicke employment is not dispriviledge 2 That if the Magistrate takes this care it s better then the Parents can be it eases him and ought to be submitted to the benefit is most to the poorest who are aptest to repine 3 All to be done by a publicke equal rule 148 4 Further considerations of the causes of unequall rating 5 The duty of a wise Magistrate to disburthen his Land when over-numerous 6 Setled wayes to make the work acceptable 7 No place or Person to be freed from payments 149 8 How personal estates are to be rated that equality may be 9 The end of all punishments publicke good Chap. 28. p. 149 150 shewing 1 That the Magistrate ought to regulate or give Rules for Families 149 2 The Jewish Husbands Power was absolute 3 Some men cannot rule their wives 4 Necessary to settle some Law to avoid known evils 150 5 The like for children 6 The like that Parents may provide duly for their Families 7 None to keep servants but such as are able to maintain them 8 All servants to be inrolled 9 None to depart c. without a Certificate 10 Birth and Age of children to be kept by a sworn Officer 11 Inholders power in their Family and duty to their Guests Chap. 29. p. 51 52. shewing 1 Parents heretofore naturally had absolute dispose of their children 151 2 They unnaturally exposed them 3 Their duty is to sustain them till fit for labour or marriage 4 Reasons that the Magistrates may and ought to appoint the Ages of Marriage 5 Contrary reasons refelled 152 6 The Magistrates power after set Age to allow the child their choice in some Cases and to inforce the father to some portion 7 The act of Marriage is properly the work of the Magistrate Chap. 30. p. 152 153. shewing 1 The municipal Law of England better then the Imperial Law in appointing Guardians and Tutors 152 2 The Magistrate yet to appoint the Guardian answerable for the value at the time 3 The discharge of such Guardian ought to be valid in Law 4 If a Guardian prove unfit the money to be paid to a publike Treasury thereto appointed which shall allow some maintenance 5 To appoint how inheritances shall descend and by whom division to be made 153 Chap. 31. p. 153 154. shewing 1 How Cities and Corporations or Towns first arose 153 2 Its fit to continue them 3 To inable them by certain Laws to maintain their Societies 4 These must be according to the nature of the place Maritim eor Inland 5 They must have Laws for all inhabitants according to emergency evil Laws that is where a better is seen must not be sued upon after confirmed but complained of and continued till a new one made unless absolutely destructive 154 6 Particular persons not to question or disobey a setled Law Chap. 32. p. 154. shewing 1 Customs ought not to be pleaded as Law till allowed by the Magistrate 2 They ought to be after allowance Published and Recorded yea Printed 3 A book so allowed to be kept in each place where the Custome runs Chap. 33. pag. 154 155. shewing 1 The Magistrate is to defend against private force as well as publick 154 2 A further consideration of the Magistrates war against internal vanities 3 The Magistrates Power and Duty as to observation of a Sabboth 4 A way to know the Masters diligence in a Family 155 5 A consideration what to be done with Heathens in that case 6 A consideration what to be done to Absolute Popish Papists 7 A consideration upon the whole whether the Christian Magistrate may go to war Chap. 34. pag. 155. shewing 1 That its unsafe to trust Strangers with Arms but Natives 2 The Reasons against it confuted Chap. 35. pag. 156. 157. 158. 159 shewing 1 All humane settlements how wise soever vain without a blessing from heaven 156 2 Absolute dependencies are the Nurses of feuds and jealousies 3 In case of civil broyls none justly to be suspected to be intrusted with Arms after dominion obtained 4 Otherwise all to be appointed to arms or works or paiment towards both according to proportion of estate 5 Wisdom not to charge many arms upon vast estates but to abate some for paiment and also 157 6 Towards maintenance of these all Lands and Stocks to be charged 7 Fit to allow abatement for money as for Land after discovery 8 Commissioners to be Judges and apportion charges out of lands charged arms where Rents issue out 9 Jurisdictions for this ought to be setled 157 10 The best way as yet to charge Arms. 11 All Arms to be Recorded and owned the Commonwealths 12 Fit men considered 13 A Military Oath fit both to Officers and Souldiers Reasons discussed 14 Other offers of Settlement 15 Some consideration of our present condition 16 The general way to root out heart-burnings 158 17 The vanity of meer Machivilian Policy 18 Pay considered for Officer and Souldier 19 Whether fit to pass at all in time of peace 20 How Officers are to be tried and punished 21 Some necessary power to be in Judges of Arms as in appointing makers and sellers of Ammunition and keepers of publick Houses of Resort as Tavernes Inns c. 22 An advice to Judges and Officers at Arms to be wise and strict in Order and Discipline in regard all Government receives strength from them 159 Chap. 36. pag. 159 160. shewing 1 The difference 'twixt an Appeal and an Inditement 159 2 How Appeals come to be wholly discussed 3 How fit it is to compromise both the interest of the Prince and Subject 4 A way to do it legally propounded 5 Creditors also to have a portion 160 6 The Error to want Commission alwayes to try all offences in all Counties 7 Deodands superstitious 8 Security in case of words threatning life 9 The benefit of this proceeding Chap. 37. p. 161. shewing 1 That violent presumptions and lesser suspitions are to be considered 2 In violent presumptions any one to apprehend a felon c. 3 In probable ones onely the Justice must grant a Warrant 4 In either of these cases no suit unless the cause feigned or a meer conspiracie 5 The Military power may assist the Civil Chap. 38. p. 161. shewing 1 The benefit of speedy trials 2 The evil of delayes 3 Prisons to be nowhere but in walled Towns 4 There to be reasonably maintained unless able of themselves 5 The Goaler to have his stipend c. 6 Treasurers to whom the States Attorny should account 7 To use their Trade in prison if it may be c. 8 Better restrain private Liberty then endanger the publike Chap. 39. p. 162. shewing 1 That one word viz. Bail be used for all undertakings for appearances legal or duties enjoyned to or by Courts 2 No bail in high Treasons but in misprizion 3 Speedy Tryal necessary here
to endure no longer then the time Kings and Officers have made great advantage of these unjustices to the insupportable dammage of the Nation and ought speedily to be rectified and all Grants Charters Usages and Customes to that end to be void So have some Lords of Mannors holding originally of the Crown as it is called as of the Dutchy of Lancaster got such priviledges as they are called which ought not to be nor may by just Law for that such priviledges are dispriviledges to the whole Community opening a door to injustice and irregularity and consequently to bondage for all may be freed from charges taxes services and the like as well as one And to say it is to be presumed the Supream Magistrate will not do it is vain they have abused themselves and many subjects much who have paid largely forsuch grants and after the Princes have been forced to plead they were mistaken in their Grants and the poor men have been left remediless for their purchase money In the last place it is fit that all visible personal estates be rated as they appear and people visibly rich in Apparel House Houshold-stuff Dyet c. be esteemed as they esteem themselves Now the end of all Fines ought to be the defraying of the publick Charges of the Nation City or County and the Offices there respectively and to make these certain by composition must be as experience hath manifested the inlet to greater corruption and abuses and though other Ages having seen the evils of the old way of composition-evil deserted that and therefore gave Fees at large presuming they would take their salary and fees besides yet it is manifest it was the evil of bad men for the other is the best Law and punish strictly and fear not you shall have Justice exact The Magistrates Power and Duty as to ordering of Families THis Power hath divers objects as between the Husband and Wife Parent and Childe Master and Servant and so contrarily and also the Master of the Family and Strangers It is very requisite to be very wary in the head Law the Lord God only gave the power to the husband generally Now the exercise of that power in the Jewish state was Tyrannical and absolute and ended generally in divorce and what needed any inferiour Law where the head Law was so Magisterial But this being either obsolete in it self or made so or both and really the Lord Christs words intimate no separation except only for Adultery and that exposition is the foundation to many as they suppose justly not to make Adultery death for if so what needed divorce but this is omitted here and we proceed Let us see what is the Law of the Gospel truly it teacheth a duty and obedience beyond what the rudiments of the world enable unto Our Common Law seems to me in something too divine as I may say As for example it will not admit what we evidently see viz. that a man cannot rule his wife there are women which will offend the Law against the will of the Husband and indeed it is visibly not in his power to help they will not only sell and give his goods but break spoyle mis-spend c. They will some beat the Husband some cruelly mis-use the children c. and no way to punish them but the good man is answerable for all I know the wretchedness of many men but there is a little weak Law against them Let us also have some Law publick for the women with that tenderness is fitting to conjugal Societies but there must be an aw in some one or more Magistrates even to bridle such exorbitances and neglects on either side and make due a provision in all cases and that wisely and speedily or Divorces indeed as usual will be multiplied and from thence Fornications and Adulteries clandestine and private make what Laws you can though a legal divorce may be waved Next as to children there is no due aw and respect of or in some nay many Parents the duty of the sense of education is wholly lost there is nothing but rude and exorbitant loosness not only Parents curse Children or provide not duly for them but Children the Parents and for want of a head Rule no question is made more of this then violences in any other relations Now in case of such Rule it is fit to proceed by a more particular Law for if upright knowing zealous Judges be not there is no right therefore it is fit to make these Laws Oeconomical more particular then others Again as to Parents neglecting the due provision for their family the Magistrate is wholly beaten out of it The rule ought to be that the Magistrate might take cognizance what a man can earn if imployed next that he and his be set on work and thirdly that he doth not nor shall mispend it but that the house-rent and all be carefully discharged and then where labour fayles to be supplyed by the publick Purse Next for servants not each one that will to entertain servants unless visibly able to maintaine and imploy them for otherwise there will be many sluts and more Thieves with multitudes of Receivers which the Law can take no notice of This Law must extend to all sorts of servants which have not estates to maintain themselves visibly otherwise there will be from the neglect in one a visible carelesness towards all Let no servant under a penalty be hired but with a publike inrolment in the Town or Precinct Parishional or otherwayes however neither dismissed or to go into another Precinct without License of an Officer in Writing this is the Law of England at present onely carelesness of Magistrates admitted pride to grow too fast in servants and then all was omitted and this is a main inlet to Confusion It is also fit strictly by a sworn Officer to keep the Records of the Birth of Children for the Age is now grosly mistaken and no ascertained way of probation with a small fee as a groat to the State to pay the Officer for enrolment so much for search so much a Certificate For that of Strangers it is to settle a little better the power not only of the Master of the Family in general but particularly of those who either by profession are Inholders or others like them upon other accidental occasions who now are by some persons made servants to their Lusts and have no power to bridle exorbitancy that they can know for to speak once for all it is not enough some wise learned book-man knows all these Laws or if all the so called Lawyers did the Christian Law must plainly and perspicuously hold forth to every man his certain known and assured duty and power in their respective places or the guilt be it blood or otherwise I fear lies especially if not wholly at the Supream Magistrates door VVhether the Magistrate may appoint the Ages of Marriage And to whom the work of the Marriage belongs
malice of the enemy subtil to deceive they generally drive at two things Community and Parity the one against the Tyranny and Oppression c. of great men in power the other against the covetize selfishness luxuriousness c. of rich men Now these things O you great and rich men do most assuredly as you rightly conceive tend to mutiny to nourish feuds and envyings betwixt the multitude and you All that I say is remedy not these evils by worse you know what Beast you have to deal with it s of such stomack and force that Prudence must have the honour of the management if you subdue know its but by a part of the Beast you must admit the Allusion and what in the winding up hath been the issue of these things the Pretorians at Rome the Mamelucks in Aegypt and others now testifie Consider therefore what you have to do God hath set all these as signs and tokens to you if you fall the evil is of your selves your improvidencies lightnesses and instabilities your odd and incertain followings of providences evidence your fears those your doubts those the error of your principle all things work contrary O that every interest now could lay it self down at the foot of Jesus and say I part with all for thee and then take up all it hath as from him and of his gift and be ready to part with it to morrow Should we then live as we do now How many would then give to the poor to day lest they should have nothing to give to morrow How would they then not delight in luxurious Apparel Housholdstuff c. wherein multititudes of riches lie dead and buried lest another should enjoy them to morrow I know this to some melancholy spirit may give occasion to think I aim at or give too great footing to Community and Parity for they should in such contemplations cast away all but I speak to the setled Christian who knows its lawful to use the world but all in due order and as its lawful to recreate but spend more time in prayer then in playing so it s lawful to rejoyce in and to have that we may rejoyce in outward blessings but glorifie God with a greater portion to the poor then thy superfluity amounts to I intend a due and just reproof to excess and prodigality Keep not all horses and doggs some poor not all in cloathing thy self some to the naked and thy self with moderacy and yet if thou dost these things thou meritest not Heaven but thou avoidest the scandal of men Now that this is not done is the fault of the Magistrate O Watchman its thy duty but thou settest up for favor and by-respect lazie idle and ignorant and some evil Watchmen therefore the work is not done and that thou mighest trust these thou madest thy Law to extend to each matter or so intendest and this was for two reasons one that fools or any might not err for the Letter was their guide the other that they that would abuse their power might not and by this not having each week a new Law as occasion grew Justice and Government is lost for act by these particular Laws who can in one hundred thousand things justly requiring remedy The poor are thus sold for less then a pair of old shooes If you would give a remedy to this authorize some few or many who shall examine and determine all actions by or against any person not worth an hundred pounds for no Tryal can be under twelve pound and the eighth part of all a man hath indeed of the thing in controversie to be spent in trial of whether my horse be mine or thine my knife nay the sheath of that knife is a woful thing in a Christian Commonwealth I shall not declaim against it but onely say its contrary to the worst of Heathens proceedings I intend not to make the wound wider while I desire healing the difficulty seems to be onely to perswade men this is a wound I have been as lenytive and gentle in opening this Orifice of the ulcer of the Law and its practise as may be I acknowledge it my Profession not my Practise and I account this according to the Head Rule of Englands Law rather the Practise then the Principle the error of Custom and interest from men then of the Law I hold forth nothing for Law which is treated of in the Laws of England but according to the general rule of that Law holding nothing contrary to the Law of God or just reason to be its Rule all which I am ready to all or any particular to manifest when ever called thereto And now I come to speak one word to the people You are of many sorts and many interests you have but as I find the worst and wickedest as educated professing Christianity I advise you first to labour as such to approve your selves you have its probable been most of you Baptized the Covenant is indelible after once you have I say not been Rebaptized or Baptized with the Spirit but owned that Covenant in the name Baptism you are a debtor to the Lord Christ of all the duties of the Gospel This then O poor Christian goes far it s the Magistrates duty to rule well so 't is thine to obey well 'T is the same with you as with the people in Christs time when the great and powerful men speak the Law and hold forth duties of Righteousness do as they say however they do It s the Magistrates duty to hear and receive in a right way just things from you and by the implicite Reason of power onely to vote them unreasonable and scandalous is unsatisfactory but if they do so remain you in your integrity break not out against them untill the Lord shall open a way he will do it in his due time go on and satisfie thy soul in thy own righteousness I say so Comfort thy self in the mercy of thy God who hath given thee to see others failings and though thy condition be poor and needy yet break not out This I say of this great scarcity which hath faln upon us wherein I believe many have perished yet the evil hath light on the rude stubborn disordered poor against whom mens bowels have been shut up walk therefore according to the condition wherein God hath set you exalt not your selves against great men no nor against rich men they will be too mighty for you poor and proud is a high judgement it brings misery with rejoycing I know many of your souls die within you when you see the wicked full their eyes stare with fat you wait upon God and your children famish yea many hence think God regardless so unjust at first at last deny him Fools know 't is his Wisdom he punishes or tries or both he punishes the body in the want of temporals for breaches of duty to thy brother neglecting the creature or abusing it and the Creator in it He tries
are so enfranchised Chap. 19. p. 130 131. Wherein is considered 1 Why the Law distinguishes 'twixt the person and power 130 2 Princes seek to avoid eternal Decrees by ensnaring the consciences of their subjects 3 What are Powers simply considered 4 That obedience generally must when setled be given to them 5 What duty Subjects owe to usurpers against their lawful Prince after a total expulsion 6 What the Subjects duty is after he comes under his first Princes Sword before expulsion of the Vsurper 7 VVhat is not the Ministers duty 131 8 The reason of all this 9 Dangerous and unsafe opinions concerning this ensnaring consciences from ambiguity or cruelty Chap. 20. p. 131 132. Wherein is cleared 1 Good the more universal the better therefore 131 2 The life of a particular Citizen not to be esteemed with the Cities safety 3 For this particular priviledges are to be dispenst withall as necessity requires 4 The meer Lawyers error in this 132 5 VVhy personall estate is seemingly preferred to real in some cases 6 Dangerous to allow contests of priviledge in times of necessity 7 Compensation must be made where dispriviledge is for publick good Chap. 21. p. 133 134 135. wherein is asserted 1 That its necessary to a free Nation to have Laws in the Native Tongue and in limits and bounds fit to yeeld speedy and easie Iustice 133 2 Walking Courts destructive and the reason 3 To look and settle these is the Supream magistrates Duty 4 It s a true and just Rule Ignorance of the Law excuses not 5 Therefore the Laws as in tongue so in number and phrase ought to be fitted to vulgar capacities 6 The Norman Conquest made our Laws speak French 7 The Roman Yoke and pretence of Learning made our Pleadings Writs c. in Latin 8 The end of both in legal French or Latine and is lost 9 Gain of the Practizing Lawyer the sole stop to Reformation 10 A subtiltie to unchristian reason of the Lawyer for continuance of strife and legal wranglings 134 11 Magna Charta's Rule true To delay is to deny justice 12 What the best men naturally counted delay 13 All liberties broken under pretence of difficulty of Laws 14 The general evils of delay known and visible 15 The evil of Remote Courts as bad as Arbitrary 16. General offers how to settle Judicatories 17 A way propounded to keep the Laws certain and one and admit Appeals and yet take away the Injustice urged in them Chap. 22. p. 136 137 138 139. shewing 1 The duty of Supream or Legislative or Law-giving Judges 136 2 The eminency of trust requires gifts answerable thereto 3 That no minor be capable of the offence of a Judge judicial much less Legislative with the reasons for both 4 Not decrepit in age mature nor green nor rotten the ages propounded and the reasons 5 Able in minde as of body 6 Free from obligations to injustice and dependances 7 Various dependances considered and their preservatives 137 8 As first to have a sufficient salary 9 To settle strictly what Bribery is 10 To punish both giver and taker 11 Judges must be such as evidently fear God 138 12 By whom Judges are to be appointed and their duties that elect 13 Qualifications requisite in respect of temper of passions 14 Weak justices or Judges make judgement despised and all Judges contemptible 15 Constables are Judges and Jurors therefore ought to be able men 16 The duty of ordinary Judges 139 17 Their punishments considered if offending 18 The best way of enacting of new Laws considered of Chap. 23. pag. 139 140. Shewing 1 How the Supream Magistrate is to look at unity of law in all Counties in his Regiment 139 2 With Christians wise or honest men the variances will not be material 3 It is requisite all Courts to have like Officers proceedings and Fees 4 All these to be published in Frint as allowed 5 The Evills if this be not 139 140 6 Judges must be fined if in a set time the case be not determined or dismissed 7 All Processes to be returnable at one time Chap. 24. pag. 140 141. Shewing 1 The reasons why appeals were made customary 140 2 What is truly a legall foundation for an appeal 3 How such appeals are so allowed 4 Punishment in case of Error 5 How false Judgements are to be remedied 6 The evil of Writs of Error and the necessity and how to be allowed 7 Further consideration of Punishment in case of Error 141 Chap. 25. pag. 141 142 143 144 145. Shewing 1 The extent of the Magstrates Power in chief must be to all things necessary to the well Being of the Commonwealth 141 2 What the Magistrate hath to do as to Divine worship considering the case of Uzziah stricken by God c. 3 That in case of doubt to whom the Power is the Civil Magistrates right is clearest 4 The difficulty to setle the Magistrates Power wherein it consists 5 The civil Sword to help the spirituall a gross vanitie 6 What the Magistrates Power is considered as to Blasphemers dolaters and Witches and how the Judicials in these rule us 142 7 Why the Judicials are not our rule 8 Paul a Blasphemer and bids only From such turn away 9 What the Magistrate is to do when he wants a Divine rule 10 The Magistrate may inflict death on prophane wicked ones not on Civil doubting Christians though their doubts may amount to blasphemy as spoken 11 Witches may be put to death as murderers c. 12 Why the Apostolical writings urge not punishments 143 13 The Christian Magistrates and Churches distinct Power setled 14 This not to extend to Heathens blaspheming God 15 A caution to the Magistrate in case of doubt 16 A generall comprehension of the Magistrates Power 17 Some Judicials disused with us fit to be renewed 144 18 A reason why the Magistrate should not press conscience so called 19 The distinct Offices and Powers of Magistrate and Minister further considered 20 Cases are when conscience cannot be pleaded and the reason being that things doubtfull but Civil 21 Evils concerning Church service to be moderately prosecuted 145 22 Some further considerations who is keeper of both the Tables and the reasons Chap. 26. pag. 146 147. Shewing 1 Each mother ought to suckle her child 146 2 Riches enable but the better thereto 3 Through the abuse of comforts better now to nurse by poor people 4 A hint to professors to be moderate in the use of creature-comforts 5 Magistrates duty to take care for Education of youth 6 That it extends to Armes as Arts. 7 The best way propounded with the reasons 8 Rules to be observed by the masters in the ordering of them and that as to habit diet study exercise c. 9 The benefits hereby arising 10 Separate Jurisdiction not to be allowed to any of them 147 11 Books of learning to be appointed by the Magistrate 12 Set times of respit to the Ministers 13 Further benefit
riches and honor were but subservient to Natures ends but this strictness now accounted though the Magistrate might exact it where it could be or punish its neglect Yet assuredly to inforce it in this our Age were to debilitate and enervate the Nation for our rich people are generally so luxurious that if the weakness of the decaied stifled generative vertue choaked with excess were not opened again to operate more acutely through another kind of nutriment in the poor Nurse they would all prove Changlings to old English Valour though in such a soul the splendors of Christianity may be as excellent as in the strongest fairest and healthiest constitution This I hint onely to intimate at least to Professors what a duty is upon them to repress these excesses which are so ruinous to Nature and ought to be punished Natural men have out-gone most Modern Christians in these vertues My aim is at the manner not so much of educating babes or so called children as youth that is from seven years to eighteeen at least if not one and twenty or better five and twenty Now to this end I suppose that it is the duty of the Magistrate to Erect and Authorize at least in the head-Town of every County Schools of Vertue that is fitted with Masters to teach and instruct the youth according to their Ages and Capacities in Arts and Arms I mean by Arts Trades of all sorts and learning of all sorts atcording to Rule This provided that it is not intended that all children should contiue meerly learners till five and twenty and it is supposed that the present values rents and profits of and belonging to Inns of Court and Chancery Universities and Schools will serve for this work however so far that the defect may easily be supplied But that they should not be accounted men till that age nor to manage their own affairs much less of the Commonwealth but be under Guardianship And by Arms I mean all the exercises of the body whereby strength and agility shall be increased courage raised and yet being under a Tutor obedience nourished and Prudence established for these Academies or Schools it is requisite to have their Rules grave and strict but not ridiculous not such as flat Caps after so long disused nor Cappings of so called Fellows as was in Colledges though the rain pour down but to order such due respect as breeds an aw with love wherein there must be necessary severity not rigid peevish Tyranny the aw must express it self in a due silence as well as active diligence for the expence of spirits is great in clamorous nay talkative youth and sure would quick and ripe wits not vent so fast their store would last longer this makes many pregnant young men to be old dotards Let these have discreet Visitors or Superintendents who once every moneth shall come and view the progresses of the several years and a penalty set and that seriously this due training of youth will enable them to rule in season the want of knowing due obedience in Education renders most men unfit to govern by this means the natural abilities of all men will be tried and the vertuous eyed as fit for high imployments the care of Parents will be quieted while their children are so nigh as once in a week they may easily hear of their health and sickness and the nighness to the Parents will aw the child from such extravagancies as youth is subject to at all times but most when they are far from them whom Nature teaches to fear by degrees The habits of these Students I inforce not that they be all alike but that none be trimmed with Velvet Lace Points Ribonds or such fooleries none to wear long Hair Rings Scarfes Fringes Roses Weapon or Boots and that due and civil respects be observed among themselves according to their degrees but no fancies of Custom to be allowed as Salting Mustarding or any such lightnesses nor any trials of Wit or Strength but in the presence of a Master Thus shall both poor and rich be fitted to the service of the Commonwealth idleness will be banished and ignorance despised for all that were capable should to these Schools for a time till dismissed to Trades for necessary living by the Visitors or Superintendents for prayers among them early and late it is necessary but let the hours be apportioned for Study and Exercise and let each day be Catachistical to the knowledge of Christian Doctrine as Moral or Civil conversation But you must admit no Colledge-School or Academy to have any Priviledges of separate Jurisdiction as now or formerly they are but the inciters to Debauchery and Riot with great emulation and disturbance of the Peace The Magistrate must command Let no door be free from the knock of the Consuls Ax it will make some heady one or other at some time or other to lay the foundations of chusing Tribunes of the people Let onely their obedience to the Law be their priviledge and security onely let the Tutors be free from personal service in War or other service in Peace but for payments let them be charged upon him according to his Rate Let the books of Learning be publikely appointed by the Magistrate not at the Tutors will let not all be inforced to Latin but each to Read and Write in some measure Let times of rising be set down and also going to bed and some certain times wherein the children may recreate but by parcels not all at once which now is case of great confusion rudeness and disturbance Let the Masters interchangeably have times of respit for extraordinary occasions This will speedily give a large increase for knowledge which will make that your Magistrates in all places may be men of knowledge which will embellish the Commonwealth whereas now most Cities Towns yea I may say Counties are despised in Government for default of prudent knowing men A long Robe-man or two guide all and in this Age of interest and these mens interests so visible as aforesaid all is let run to confusion And by this will also the several Congregations be fitted with able knowing Pastors and Teachers yea honest vertuous emulation in ingenuous spirits will render almost every Member a Doctor This is seemingly a matter of great charge therefore before I proceed I will see how charges are to be born raised c. And the relief of Commonwealths in excessive burthens of people How all the Charges of the Commonwealth Fees and Fines c. are to be Assessed and raised and by what Rule And the wayes to ease Nations when grown over-numerous I Know that many will say this is good in Speculation but the Practise is difficult yea some will say impossible for you cannot get all men of one mind to it others that it is against Priviledge to inforce children from the Parents Tuition who being Guardians by Nature the Law will not may not admit any Rule to bar his Right Others
lost the glory of Pastors by preaching Christ and pretending for Christ and following the world and seeking Self so they must redeem their ancient honor by signal services Let love be even to Enemies and let the reducing of those that go astray be with that real sincere affection as they Preach Saint Iohn did his back-sliding outlaw given in trust to a Pastor or Bishop Let them be Fathers of the Church and brethren in Christ let them be eyes to the blind and teachers to them that are slow of heart let them be diligent and faithful in their places preaching in season and out of season looking at their duty more then the reward for by the vertual Succession or publike Designation they own the charge of the Lord is upon them and they pluck a wo upon themselves if they preach not the Gospel Lord dispel from their minds the rudiments of the world the superstitious reasonings of the flesh and all carnal Ordinances and give them the Evidence of thy Spirit that by thy Power they may be instrumental in this our day of high expectation to draw much people to the Lord. Holy Father give us Magistrates as of old men full of wisdom and of the fear of the Lord men of courage and despising riches let them make Thee their strength not trusting to their knowledge knowing that in case of a Kingdom appointed to ruine by God wise Councels and fair occasions avail not but are by a secret over-ruling Providence wholly inverted nor to their courage riches or power for the same reasons Let them not undertake War for Ambition nor as all Christian Princes and States of late have done engage in Oathes in policy and for stratagems let their leagues be kept inviolably the priviledge of Nations is above that of private persons let their Laws be not onely in the letter but the practise also the Indexes of pure Iustice let their Government be such a sweet mixture of Iustice and Mercy that may declare they seek Reformation not destruction the Glory of God not the benefiting of Self let them hear before they determine determine before they execute and yet execute so that Righteousness may be preserved free from the scandal not onely of false Iustice but also of too late Iustice Banish from the hearts of all such as thou shalt call to places of Judicature every affection that is dissonant to the purity of Christian Profession Let not form destroy the essence of Justice O Lord look upon all those that have power wisdom and riches whereby being eminent in their Generations they are rendred useful for thy glory that they may all of them improve the Talents that they have received to the end for which they were principally given And Father let thy many promises of building up Sion sending down the New Jerusalem setling the people in peace making them all of one heart and mind be fulfilled to us in this our day Many beleeve it is the great work of thy Glory reserved for thy Call of thine own people Lord hasten that time shorten the evil dayes for thine Elects sake and stir up all hearts in their respective places so to act as the vigor of all Christian vertues may be so apparent that all eyes may see the brightness of thy glory the perfect image of the Father shining forth in the conversations of the children Let all our emulations be holy tending onely to incite and stir up desires of more affectionate duties and services to the eternal Majesty not seeking after principally loose and accustomed liberty but laying such a due restraint upon all inordinate walkings that even propension to transgression may be chastised nay strangled in the heart before it grows to action Let the gifts of the mind in our Commonwealth have the first place then the excellencies of the body and let those of the world have the last as the lowest in the Sphear of Christian Politicks Let thy Kingdom even of thy Son the one eternal immortal invisible infinite Prince the Prince of Peace come let his Spirit so rule and raign in the hearts of the sons of men that his will may be so done of us here as it is in heaven that thou and thy Name may be glorified by all flesh even so be it O Lord. Amen Amen So prayes CHARLS GEORGE COCK Student of Christian Law Of the Society of the Inner-Temple now resident in Norwich FINIS Postscript As I find this VVork accepted I shall enlarge Isaiah 62. vers 1. For Sions sake I will not hold my tongue and for Ierusalems sake I will not rest untill the Righteousness thereof break forth as the light and the salvation thereof be as a burning Lamp Vers 6. and 7. Ye that are the Lords Remembrancers keep not silence and give him no rest untill he repair and set up Ierusalem the praise of the Earth